Shiftable plate means for limiting movement of actuating levers in check writers



United States Patent [72] Inventor Ardath A. Gopperton Mount Prospect,Illinois [21] Appl. No. 782,279 [22] Filed Dec. 9, 1968 [45] PatentedSept. 22, 1970 [73] Assignee Theodore B. Hirschberg Chicago, Illinois[54] SHIFTABLE PLATE MEANS FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT 0F ACTUATING LEVERS INCHECK'WRITERS 12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 101/20, 10 H95 B4lj 7/04 [50] l0l/95,20, 19, 96, 97, 93

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,697,981 12/1954Rindfleisch 101/20 2,707,432 5/1955 Rindfleisch... 101/95 2,853,0019/1958 Jagger 101/95 3,142,248 7/1964 Gopperton 10 1 /95 3,267,8468/1966 Gopperton 101/96 3,467,006 9/1969 Johnson l0l/95 PrimaryExaminerWilliam B. Penn A ttorney-Johnson, Dienner, Emrich, Verbeck andWagner ABSTRACT: A device for selectively limiting movement of aplurality of actuating levers associated with individually adjustableprinting members having printing characters thereon as in check writingand money order printing machines, including a plate supported formovement between first and second positions and having a plurality ofslots therein each adapted to receive one of the actuating leverstherethrough. Certain of the slots have configurations to allow movementof the corresponding levers to position printing characters in printingposition when the plate is in the first position, with these slots beingadapted to prevent movement of the plate to the second position untilthe corresponding actuating levers are moved to zero printing positions.At least one of the remaining slots has a configuration preventingmovement of its corresponding actuating lever when the plate is in thefirst position and is adapted to allow movement of the correspondingactuating lever to a selected printing position upon movement of theplate to the second position.

Patented Sept. 22, 1970 Shet 2 of s SIIIFTABLE PLATE MEANS FOR LIMITINGMOVEMENT F ACTUATING'LEVERS-IN CHECK WRITERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a device for limiting movement of aplurality of actuating levers associated with printing members asutilized in check writing and money order printing machines and thelike, and more particularly to such a device adapted to limit themaximum amount for which a check or similar instrument may be printed.

Known check writers and money order printing machines employ printingmembers having printing characters thereon. The printing members areindependently movable to selectively dispose any of the printingcharacters in effective printing positions. The printing members of manyof the known check writers and money order printing machines includesprinting characters ranging from numerals zero to nine and may beindividually adjusted in combination to effect printing of generally anyamount within the limitations of the machine.

It is often desirable in check writers and money order printing machinesto provide means for limiting the maximum amount for which a check ormoney order may be printed. For example, it is often desirable that suchcheck writers and printing machines be limited to printing checks in themaximum amount of $100. In the prior art devices of this type, theoperator was required to manually move all of the printing members otherthan the hundredth digit printing member to zero printing positions.Many times the operator would fail to return certain of the printingmembers to their zero printing positions and cause the check to beprinted in an amount above the maximum desired amount, therebynecessitating the printing of another check. This is time consuming andwasteful of check blanks. There thus exists a need for a simpleefficient device for use with such check writing and money orderprinting machines which is adjustable to limit the maximum amount forwhich checks may be printed and insures that all of the printing membersother than the maximum dollar printing member be disposed in the zeroprinting position, thereby precluding blanks or printing charactersother than zero from erroneously appearing on the printed checks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the primary objects of the presentinvention is to provide a device for selectively limiting movement ofthe printing members in check writing and money order printing machinesand the like, which device may be readily adapted to existing machinesand provides a means for selectively limiting the maximum amount forwhich a check or similar instrument may be printed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for usewith a check writer and money order printing machine and the like, whichdevice is selectively operable to limit the maximum amount for which acheck may be printed and which does not interfere with adjustment of anyof the printing membersother than the hundredth digit printing memberwhen the device is in a first position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device forlimiting the maximum dollar amount for which checks may be printed incheck writers and money order printing machines and the like, whichdevice includes a plate member readily adaptable to conventional checkwritersand printing machines having printing members with actuatinglevers associated therewith, and which plate is movable between firstand second positions and includes means to selectively limit movement ofthe actuating levers and thereby the printing members.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a limiting deviceas described wherein the plate has a plurality of slots therein eachadapted to receive a corresponding actuating lever therethrough with allof the slots except the slot corresponding to the hundredth digitprinting member having recesses therein to retain the associatedactuating levers in zero printing positions when the hundredth digitactuating lever is moved to effect printing of a selected dollar amount.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device asdescribed wherein the slot corresponding to the hundredth digit printingmember is adapted to prevent movement of such member prior to theremaining printing members being moved to zero printing positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a limiting deviceas described including means associated with the selected printingposition.

In furtherance of the above objects of the present invention, 1 providea plate member adapted to be slidably supported by a check writerprmoney order printing machine having a plurality of printing membersmovable through actuating levers to selectively dispose printingcharacters in printing positions. The plate member is supported formovement between first and second positions and has slots therein eachadapted to receive a corresponding one of the actuating leverstherethrough. The slot corresponding to the actuating lever associatedwith the hundredth digit printing member is adapted to retain suchactuating lever in an initial non-printing position when the plate is inits first position, while the remaining slots allow their correspondingactuating levers to be independently moved to selectively dispose anyone of a plurality of printing characters in effective printingpositions. In one embodimehb'slots corresponding to all of the printingmembers except the hundredth digit printing member have recessestoreceive and retain the associated actuating levers therein with thecorresponding printing members disposed in their zero printing positionswhen the plate is moved to its second position. A cam surface isprovided in the slot associated with the hundredth digit actuating leverto engage the lever and urge the plate member to its second positionupon movement of the lever toward a selected printing position when theremaining actuating levers have been moved to their zero printingpositions. Upon movement of the plate member to its second position, thehundredth digit printing member may be moved to the selected printingposition thereby allowing printing of a check in a maximum hundreddollar round number amount. One embodiment of my invention allows the$100 and $10 digit printing members to be moved to nonprinting positionsand employs means associated with the actuating levers of the $100 and$10 digit printing members for effecting automatic movement of the $10digit printin'g member to its zero printing position from thenon-printing 4 position upon movement of the 100 digit printing memberto the selected printing position, thereby precluding the possibility ofblank spaces in the printed checks.

Further objects andadvantages of my invention, together with theorganization and manner of operation thereof may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate likeparts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a checkwriter embodying my invention, with the lower frontal portion and theright hand side plate of the enclosing casing removed;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along theline 2-2 of FIG. 1 with the digit printing member in a non-printingposition and the remaining printing members in zero printing positions;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line' 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing thelimiting plate member embodied in the check writer of FIGS. 1 and 2 in afirst position wherein the $100 and $10 printing member actuating leversare in non-printing positions and the remaining printing memberactuating levers are in zero printing positions;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the limiting plate member illustrated inFIGS with the plate being shown in a second position retaining certainof the actuating levers in zero printing positions and with thehundredth digit printing member acmating lever being moved to a printingposition;

FIG. 5 is a view generally similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the limitingplate in the second position with the hundredth digit printing memberactuating lever in a selected printing position and the remainingactuating levers in a zero printing position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view takensubstantially along the line 66 of FIG. 3 but with portions of thecasing and printing members being included;

HO. 7 is an enlarged top view of the means associated with the $100 anddigit actuating levers to effect automatic movement of the $10 digitactuating lever to zero printing position upon movement of the $100digit actuating lever to a printing position;

FIG. 8 is a view taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a view generally similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating analternative embodiment of a limiting plate in accordance with thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, andin particular to F 16$. 1 and 2, l have illustrated my invention, by wayof example, as embodied in a check writer generally similar to thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,697,981 to A.G. Rindfleisch, except as tothe clearing yoke mechanism. the orientation of the printing 24 and thedollars bar 26, and -2 cent digit printing members 34 between thedollars bar 26 and the cents bar 28. As will become more apparenthereinb elow, any desired number of dollar digit printing members may beprovided with my invention being readily adapted for use with the numberof dollar digit printing members selected. Each of the printing members34 includes an arcuate type bar 36 for movement therewith. Each type bar36 is provided upon its printing face with a series of printingcharacters or numerals ranging from zero to nine and arranged in reverseseriatim order from the leading end of the bar to the rearward endthereof. Each of the type bars 36 is of reduced thickness or radialextent at each end providing a rearwardly extending element 38 and aforwardly extending element 40'with a cutout or notch contiguous to eachof such elements. Each type bar is relieved rearwardly of the zeroprinting character thereon to provide a blank or nonprinting positionfor the associated printing member 34, thereby allowing selected of theprinting members to be moved to non-printing position as describedbelow. The guide bar is provided with transverse slots to receive thetype bars 36 of the printing members 34 and restrain them againsttransverse movement as described in the above identified Rindfleischpatent. The printing line of the check writer machine is the linedefined by the bars 24, 26 and 28, and the printing members or typesegments 34 are individually adjustable to selectively align theprinting characters on the printing line.

characters on the printing members, and the means for observing whichprinting characters are disposed upon the printing line of the machine.As will be understood, in its broader aspects my invention may beapplied to any suitable check writer, money order printing machine oranalogous machine.

The check writer illustrated includes a casing or housing, indicatedgenerally at 10, enclosing a main frame comprising vertical side plates12 and 14 secured together in fixed spaced relation by spacing crossrods 16. Each of the side plates 12 and 14 is provided with a forwardlyextending base element defining with the upper portion of the plate arearwardly extending opening or slot 18 for insertion of a check blankor analogous instrument to be printed upon, as is known. A sup-' portplatform 20 is removably supported by and secured to the forwardlyextending base element portions of the side plates 12 and 14 in aconventional manner and forms a platform or work surface along which thechecks or analogous instruments are moved during insertion into the slot18 for imprinting.

A cross shaft 22 is mounted on and between side plates 12 and 14 bymeans of reduced studs (not shown) at its ends providing shouldersabutting the inner faces of the side plates and restraining the shaftagainst endwise movement. A sum" bar 24, a dollar" bar 26 and a centsbar 28 are mounted at their upper ends upon shaft 22, each beingprovided with a sleeve fitting snugly about the shaft. The bars 24, 26,and 28 are secured at their lower ends to a guide bar 30 extendingtransversely of the main frame and suitably secured at its ends to thespaced side plates 12 and 14. A prefix plate 32 is slidably mounted onthe lower end of the sum bar 24 and bears on its lower or printing facea suitable legend, such as The Sum". During the printing operation plate32 is moved inwardly to a position abutting the first or nearer one ofthe dollar printing members then in printing position.-'lhe meansforoperating the plate 32 is the same as that in the above identifiedRindfleisch patent and is not essential tomy present invention, it beingunderstood that any suitable means may be provided for operating theprefix plate.

A plurality of printing members .or type segments 34 are mounted uponthe shaft 22 for rotational or turning movement thereon and aremaintained in spaced relation on the shaft by intervening spacingcollars (not shown) in a manner as described in the above referencedRindfleisch patent. The

Each of the pi'inting members 34 includes a forwardly projecting fingerportion 42 to which is suitably secured an actuating lever 44 providedat its outer end with a finger grip or cap 46 having a friction fitthereon. An arcuate shaped segment 48 is formed integral with orotherwise suitably secured to each of the actuating levers 44 and isgenerally concentric with the shaft 22 and movable with thecorresponding printing member 34. Each of the arcuate segments 48 has atoothed outer peripheral edge or rack portion 50 adapted for cooperativeengagement with an associated cylindrical index roller 52, the toothededge portion 50 of the arcuate segment matingly engaging an annulartoothed portion 54 on the associated index roller. The index rollers 52are rotatably supported in spaced relation on a cross shaft 56 suitablysupported between the vertical side plates 12 and 14. The index rollers52 under lie a curved portion 58 of the casing 10 and each has a seriesof characters disposed about the peripheral surface thereof whichcorrespond to the printing characters of the respective correspondingprinting members 34. The index rollers 52 are each associated with anarcuate segment 48 on the corresponding actuating lever 44 such thatwhen the printing printing members are restrained against endwisemoverrient members 34 are positioned to dispose printing characters onthe printing line, characters on the index rollers corresponding to theprinting characters disposed on the printing line will be visiblethrough associated viewing openings or windows 60 provided in the curvedportion-58 of the casing.

A generally curved frontal portion 66 of the casing 10 is provided -witha first series of lengthwise slots 68 and a second series of lengthwiseslots 70. Each slot of the series of lengthwise slots 68, 70 receives acorresponding actuating lever 44 therethrough, which actuating leversare conventionally movable lengthwise in the slots for effectingselective individual adjustment of the printing characters on theassociated printing members 34 to positions on the printing line. Thefirst two slots 68, considered from the left when viewing FIG. 1,correspond to the and $10 digit printing members, respectively, duringimprinting of a check or money order. The slots 68 extend upwardly to anextent that either of the actuating levers 44 corresponding to the $100and $10 digit printing members may be moved to a position wherein theportion of. the corresponding arcuate type bar 36 rearwardly of the zeroprinting character overlies the printing line of the machine, therebyestablishing a non-printing or blank position ineffective for imprintingindicia on a check. Such a non-printing or blank position is indicatedby a blank portion of the corresponding index roller 52 being visiblethrough the corresponding opening or viewing window 60. The slots 70correspond to the first dollar digit and the cents digits printingmembers and have their upper ends spaced below the upper ends of theslots 68 a distance such that when the actuating levers 44 correspondingto the slots 70 are positioned at the upper ends of the slots, the zeroprinting characters of the associated printing members 34 are disposedon the printing line of the check writer. In this manner, the $100 anddigit printing members can be positioned in blank or non-printingpositions, and the first dollar digit and cents digits printing memberscan be turned to zero printing positions by movement of the associatedactuating levers 44 upwardly to the maximum extent provided by thecorresponding slots 68, 70. The lower ends of the slots 68 and 70preferably are disposed in a common horizontal plane such that maximumdownward movement of any one of the actuating levers 44 disposes theprinting character 9 on the printing line.

Each of the printing members or type segments 34 includes a two-way rackportion 72 concentric with the shaft 22 and adapted for cooperation witha spring pressed ball detent mounted in an index bar 74 extendingbetween the side plates 12 and 14 in overlying relation to the rackportions 72. The

spring pressed ball detents provide means for holding the printingmembers 34 in their selected positions in a known manner. v

A perforator plate 76 is suitably secured to the under surface of guidebar 30 and serves a known purpose. The printing members 34 and theperforator plate 76 cooperate with platens 78 and 80, respectively, forprinting the desired amount of the check and perforating the payee andthe amount areas thereof. The platen 78 is mounted on the forward end oftwo outer platen arms 82 and the platen 80 is mounted on the forwardends of two inner platen arms 84. The arms 82 and 84 are rockablymounted on a cross shaft 86 and operable through an operating lever 88to effect the printing operation in a manner described more fully in theabove referenced Rindfleisch patent. lnking means, indicating generallyat 90, are provided for applying ink to the printing characters on theprinting line preparatory to a printing operation, such inking meansbeing actuated incident to movement of the operating lever 88 in amanner similar to that disclosed 'in the above identified Rindfleischpatent. It will be understood that within the broader aspects of myinvention, any suitable operating and inking means may be provided.

The check writer so far described is, in general, similar to that of theabove identified Rindfleisch patent. In its operation, the check writerdescribed above allows a blank check or analogous instrument to beinserted into the slot 18 and the printing members 34 selectivelyadjusted through finger grips 46 to position printing characters on theprinting line whereby .to effect printing of a desired dollar amountupon the check.

With the check writer as described, a check may be printed for an amountbetween 1 cent and $999.99. If it is desired to limit the maximum amountfor which a check may be printed, the operator must manually adjust eachof the printing members 34 to insure that the selected maximum amount isnot exceeded. As noted above, my invention is concerned with means whichmay be readily adapted to a check writer of the above described type andsimilar machines to limit the maximum amount for which a check may bewritten. My invention assures adjustment of all of the printing members,other than that associated with the $100 digit printing member, to zeroprinting positions while also guarding against blank spaces in theprinted check.

To the above end, and in accordance with one embodiment of my invention,1 provide a limiting plate, indicated generally at 100, adapted to besupported by the casing 10 of the check writer for movement betweenfirst and second positions. Noting FIG. 3, taken in conjunction withFIGS. 1 and 2, the limiting plate 100 is generally rectangular in planview and is curved, when considered in longitudinal cross section, toconform with the curved frontal portion 66 of the casing 10 so as toallow the plate to be supported in close relation to the casing. Thelimiting plate 100 has an elongated slot 102 in each of the cornersthereof to receive a support stud I04 therethrough for securing theplate to the check writer casing. The support studs 104 have enlargedhead portions to retain the plate in supported relation adjacent thecurved frontal portion 66 of the casing while allowing movement of thelimiting plate in a direction generally normal to the spaced side plates12 and 14 between a first position as illustrated in FIG. 3, and asecond position as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 to be explained morefully hereinbelow. A tensionspring 106 has one end secured to the casing10 through a support screw or bolt 108 and has its opposite end securedto the limiting plate member 100 by a looped portion being receivedthrough a hole in the plate. The tension spring 106 serves to urge thelimiting plate 100 toward its first position wherein the left-most endsof the elongated slots 102 engage the support studs 104 as illustratedin FIG. 3.

The limiting plate member 100 may be made of any suitable generallyrigid sheet material and has a plurality of lengthwise slots thereincomprising a first series of slots 108a and 108b, and a second series ofslots 110. The slots 108a and I08b correspond to the slots 68, and theslots 110 correspond to the slots 70 in the frontal face 66 of thecasing 10 when the limiting plate 100 is disposed in its first positionas shown in FIG. 1, each of the slots 108a, 108b and 110 is adapted toreceive a corresponding actuating lever 44 therethrough. The slots 110have transverse widths slightly greater than the thicknesses of thecorresponding actuating levers 44 and extend from a position generallyadjacent the lower ends of the corresponding slots 70 upwardly to aposition adjacent the upper limits of the slots 70. Slots I10 allow thecorresponding actuating levers 44 to be readily moved between zeroprinting positions when the actuating levers are disposed in theiruppermost positions within the slots 110 to any other printing positionsdisposing a selected printing character on the printing line of thecheck writer when the limiting plate 100 is positioned in its firstposition. Each of the slots 110 has a recess I12 associated therewith ofa longitudinal length slightly greater than the width of thecorresponding actuating lever 44, considered in the longitudinaldirection of the limiting plate 100, and of a transverse extentsufficient to allow the limiting plate to be moved to its secondposition when the corresponding actuating levers 44 are disposed intheir zero printing positions.

The lengthwise slot l08b extends from a position adjacent the lower endof the corresponding lengthwise slot 68in the frontal face 66 of thecasing 10 upwardly to a position corresponding to the blank position ofthe associated actuatinglever 44, thereby allowing the actuating leverto be selectively moved between the blank position and a positiondisposing a printing character from zero to nine on the printing linewhen the limiting plate 100 is disposed in its first position as shownin FIG. 3. The slot 108b includes a recess 114 of a transverse extent orwidth, considered in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe plate 100, sufficient to allow the plate to be moved to its secondposition when the corresponding actuating lever 44 is in either itsblank non-printing position or its zero printing position and when theactuating levers corresponding to the slots 110 are also disposed intheir zero printing positions.

The slot 108a receives the actuating lever 44 corresponding to thehundred dollar digit printing member 34 therethrough and has aconfiguration adapted to prevent movement of the corresponding actuatinglever when the limiting plate 100 is in its first position as shown inFIG. 3.. Slot 108a is further adapted to allow movement of thecorresponding actuating lever 44 to a selected printing position uponmovement of the limiting plate to its second position. To this end, theslot 108a includes an upper recess portion 116 disposed adjacent theupper end of the corresponding lengthwise slot 68 in the casing 10 andadapted to retain the actuating lever 44 in its uppermost positionwherein the corresponding printing member 34 is disposed in its blank ornon-printing position when the limiting plate 100 is positioned in itsfirst position. The upper portion 116 of the slot 108a is of atransverse width generally equal to the transverse widths of therecesses 112 and 114 in the slots 110 and 108b, respectively, so astoallow movement of the limiting plate 100 to its second position as shownin FIG. 4 when the actuating levers corresponding to the slots 108b and110 are in upper positions within their associated recesses 114 and 112.Considering the limiting plate 100 disposed in its second position asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slot 108a includes a downwardlylongitudinally extending portion 118 extending from the upper portion116 thereof to a predetermined extent, such predetermined extent beingto selectively limit the downward movement of the correspondingactuating lever 44 and thereby limit the amount of rotation which may beimparted to the corresponding printing member 34. By limiting downwardmovement of the actuating lever 44 corresponding to the slot 108a, apredetermined printing character on the associated printing member 34may be selectively positioned on the printing line of the check writerthrough movement of the actuating lever 44 to a downward positionabutting the lower end of the slot portion 108a.

The plate 100 includes means associated therewith for effecting movementof the plate from its first to its second position upon movement of theactuating lever 44 corresponding to slot 108a toward its selectedprinting position downwardly within the slot portion 118 when theactuating levers 44 corresponding to slots 108b and 110 are disposedwithin their corresponding recesses 114 and 112. Such means comprises acam surface 120 formed in theslot 108a between the upper portion 116thereof and the offset lower downwardly extending portion 118. When theactuating levers 44 corresponding to slots 108b and 110 are disposed inpositions within their associated recesses 114 and 112, downwardmovement of the actuating lever 44 associated with the slot 108a willcause the actuating lever to engage the cam surface 120 and move thelimiting plate 100 to'the left, when viewing FIG. 3, such that when theactuating lever is disposed within the lower portion 118 of slot 108a,the limiting plate will have been moved to its second position as shownin FIGS. 4 and 5.

As noted above, the downward extent of the slot portion 118 may beselectively predetermined to limit the maximum $100 digit printingcharacter on the associated printing member 34 which can be positionedon the printing line of the check writer. To establish this preselected3 I digit printing character as the maximum amount for which a checkblank disposed in the slot 18 of the check writer may be printed, it isnecessary that the actuating levers 44 corresponding to slots l08b and110 be disposed in their zero printing positions to prevent a printingcharacter greater than zero from being positioned on the printing lineportion corresponding to all but the $100 digit. To prevent theactuating lever 44 disposed within slot -108b and corresponding to the 10 digit printing member fromv remaining in its blank or non-printingposition within recess 1 14 during printing of a check for an amount ofat least $100, means indicated generally at 121, are provided which areoperatively associated with the actuating levers 44 corresponding toslots 108a and 108b to effect movement of the actuating lever withinslot 10812 to its zero printing position when the actuating levercorresponding to the 100 digit printing member is moved to its selectedprinting position within the lower portion 118 of slot 108a.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8 taken in conjunction with-FIGS. 3-5, the means121 associated with the actuating levers 44 corresponding to the $100digit printing member and $10 digit printing member for effectingmovement of the $10 digit printing member to its zero printing positionupon movement of the $100 printing member to a selected printingposition includes an actuating lever having extending arm portions 122and, l24. The arm portions 122 and 124 of the actuating lever are formedintegral with or otherwise suitably secured to opposite ends of a hollowbarrel member 126 which is supported by a support pin or shaft 128 forpivotal movement thereabout. The support pin 128 is fixably secured inupstanding relation to the actuating lever 44 corresponding to the $100digit printing member 34 through a bracket 130 suitably secured to theactuating lever. The support pin 128 has enlarged head portions adjacentthe upper and lower ends of the barrel member 126 to retain the barrelmember and its associated arm portions 122 and 124 in pivotal relationon the support pin in a conventional manner. The arm portions 122 and124 form a angle therebetween and are urged in a clockwise pivotaldirection about the support pin 128 (FIG. 7) by a torsion spring 132coiled about the support pin 128 within the hollow barrel 126 and havingend portions engaging the arms 122 and 124 in a known manner.

The longitudinal extent or length of the actuating arm portion 122 issuch that when the actuating levers 44 corresponding to the slots 108aand l08b in the limiting plate are in their uppermost non-printingpositions, the arm 122 will extend from the bracket transversely intoengagement with the uppermost edge of the actuating lever 44corresponding to slot 10811. With the actuating levers 44 correspondingto slots 108a and 108b disposed in their uppermost non-printingpositions, the arm 122 is maintained in the position shown in FIGS. 3and 7 through a plate member 134 which is secured to the side plate 12.The plate member 134 has a leg portion 136 adapted to slidably abut thearm portion 124 and selectively prevent counterclockwise pivotalmovement of the arms 122 and 124. The leg portion 136 of the platemember 134 is of a length, considered in the downward direction ofmovement of the actuating lever 44 carrying the arms 122 and 124, suchthat when the actuating levers 44 corresponding to slots 108a and 108bare moved downwardly to a position wherein the actuating levercorresponding to slot 10851 is disposed in its zero printing position,the arm portion 124 will no longer be in sliding contact with the leg136 as shown in FIG. 4. At this point, the actuating lever 44corresponding to the slot 108a will have moved the limiting plate 100 toits second position through engagement with the cam surface 120,providing the levers 44 within slots 110 are positioned in their zeroprinting position;

Further downward movement of the actuating lever 44 corresponding toslot 108b is thereafter prevented through engagement of the actuatinglever with the lower edge portion of recess 114. Further downwardmovement of the actuating lever 44 disposed within the lower portion 118of slot 108a to position a printing character on the printing line canbe effected as the arm portion 124 of the actuating lever will no longerbe in contact with the leg 136 of plate 134, thereby allowingcounterclockwise rotation of the arm portion-122- o the actuating lever.When the actuating lever 44 disposed within the slot 108a of thelimiting plate 100 has been moved to its selected printing positiondownwardly within the lower portion 118 of slot 108a, the limiting plateis maintained in its second or left-most position through engagement ofthe lengthwise edge of the lower portion of the slot with the actuatinglever projecting therethrough. Return of the limiting plate 100 to itsfirst position can thereafter be accomplished only after the actuatinglever 44 corresponding to slot 1080 is moved upwardly -to itsnon-printing position as above described. Such movement of the actuatinglever within slot 108a to its non-printing position allows spring 106 toreturn the limiting plate to its firstposition. I

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of means in 'ac-.

cordance with my invention for limiting the maximum amount for which acheck or analogous instrument can be printed with, the above describedcheck writer. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 is generally similarto that described above ;with respect to FIGS. l8 and includes alimiting plate member in-. dicated generally at 140. The limiting plate140 is generally rectangular in plan view and has elongated lots 102provided adjacent the corners thereof to receive the support pins 104therethrough such that the plate may be supported by the casing 10 formovement between a first position relative to the spaced side plates 12and 14 as shown in FIG. 9 and a second position wherein the support pins104 engage the right-hand ends of the elongated slots 102. A tensionspring 106 is operatively associated with the plate 140 and the casing10 through the support pin 108 and serves to urge the limiting plat'etoits first position as shown in FIG. 9. The frontal face portion 66 ofthe casing 10 is partially shown in FIG. 9 and includes first and secondseries of lengthwise slots 68 and 70 as above described.

The limiting plate 140 has a plurality of laterally spaced parallellengthwise slots therein including a first slot 142 corresponding to thelengthwise slot 68 and adapted to receive the actuating lever 44corresponding to the W0 digit printing member therethrough. A secondseries of slots 144 are provided in the limiting plate 140 whichcorrespond to the $l0 digit and dollar digit printing members 34 and areadapted to receive the corresponding actuating levers 44 therethrough.The lengthwise slots 144 extend from lower positions adjacent thelower-most ends of the corresponding lengthwise slots 68 and 70 in thecasing frontal face 66 upwa dly to positions corresponding to the blankor non-printing positions of the associated actuating levers 44. Forthis purpose, the slot 70 in the casing portion 66 corresponding to theactuating lever associated with the first dollar digit printing member34 is extended upwardly to allow movement of the corresponding actuatinglever to a non-printing position. Each of the lengthwise slots 144 has arecess 146 therein adjacent the zero printing position of the associatedactuating lever 44. The recesses 146 are similar to the above describedrecesses 112 and are adapted to receive the corresponding actuatinglevers therein and prevent movement thereof from their zero printingpositions when the limiting plate 140 is moved to its second position asdescribed below. Longtudinal edges of upper portions 148 of thelengthwise slots 144 and the portions below the recesses 146 preventmovement of the actuating plate from its initial or first position asshown in FIG. 9 to its second position when the corresponding actuatinglevers 44 are not in their zero printing positions.

A third series of lengthwise slots 150 are provided in the limitingplate 140 and underlie the lengthwise slots 70 corresponding to theacutating levers 44 associated with the cents printing members 34 whenthe limiting plate is disposed in its first position. The slots 150 aresimilar to the above described cents digit slots 110 and each includes arecess 152 having an upper edge serving to limit upward movement of thecor= responding actuating lever 44 to its zero printing positions andbeing adapted to receive the actuating lever therein in similar fashionto the above described recesses 112 when the actuating levers aredisposed in their zero printing positions.

The slot 142 in the limiting plate 140 corresponding to the actuatinglever '44 associated with the $100 digit printing member 34 includes anupper recess portion 154 adapted to prevent movement of thecorresponding actuating lever when the limiting plate 140 is in itsfirst position as shown in FIG. 9. The slot 142 is adapted to allowmovement of the corresponding actuating lever to a selected printingposition upon movement of the limiting plate to its second position whenthe remaining actuating levers are disposed in their zero printingpositions. The recess 154 is generally similar to the above describedrecess 116 in that it prevents movement of the corresponding actuatinglever from a non-printing position when any of the remaining actuatinglevers corresponding to the slots 144 and 150 are disposed in positionsother than zero printing positions. The slot 142 includes a lowerportion 156 having a transverse width slightly greater than thethickness of the associated actuating lever 44 and a length, consideredlongitudinally of the limiting plate 140, sufficient to allow theactuating lever to be moved to a predetermined printing position whenthe limiting plate 140 is moved to its second position. For example, thelength of the lower portion 156 of slot 142 may be such as to limitdownward movement of the associated actuating lever 44 to a positionwherein the number 1 printing character on the associated printingmember 34 is disposed on the printing line of the machine. This wouldlimit the amount for which a check may be printed in a check writerutilizing the limiting plate 140 to an amount less than $100.

The limiting plate 140 includes means for effecting movement thereof tothe second position when the actuating levers 44 corresponding to theslots 144 and 150 are moved to their zero positions. Such meanscomprises an actuating shaft 158 suitably secured in upstanding relationto the plate 140 and adapted to project outwardly through an elongatedslot 160 in the frontal face portion 66 of the check writer casing 10.With the actuating levers 44 corresponding to the slots 144 and 150 inthe limiting plate 140 disposed in their zero printing positions,movement of the upstanding shaft 158 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 9,effects movement of the limiting plate 140 to the second positionwherein the recesses 146 and 152 receive the associated actuating leverstherein and prevent their movement to non-printing positions or printingpositions other than zero. With the actuating plate 140 disposed in itssecond position, the actuating lever 44 corresponding to the slot 142and as'sociatedwith the $100 digit printing member may be moved to theaforedescribed predetermined printing position. Thereafter, release ofthe actuating shaft 158 will not cause the limiting plate 140 to bereturned to its first position through the tension spring 106 due to thelongitudinal edge of the lower portion 156 of slot 142 engaging theassociated actuating lever 44. With the limiting plate 140 moved to itssecond position as described, a check in the maximum amount of $100 orother predetermined maximum amount may be imprinted, with blank spaceson the check being precluded. Return of the actuating lever 44corresponding to the slot 142 to its non-printing positon within therecess 154 allows the 5 tension spring106 to return the limiting plate140 to its first or initial position whereupon the actuating levers 44associated with the slots 144 and 150 may be moved to selective printingpositions, theactuating levers being associated with the slots 144 beingalso selectively movable to non-printing positions.

While preferred embodiments of my invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made therein without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects. For example, while the limiting plates100 and 140 are described as being generally curved to be supported inadjacent relationship to the curved frontal face portion 66 of the checkwriter casing 10, the limiting plates may find ready application incheck writing and money order printing machines wherein the casingadjacent the operating or actuating levers 44 is flat, thereby making itdesirable that the limiting plate be of generally planar configuration.ln'addition, it will be understood that the configurations of the abovedescribed lengthwise slots in the limiting plates 100 and 140 may bereversed to accommodate check writers wherein the actuating levers aredisposed in their zero printing positions when positioned at the lowerends of the corresponding slots 68 and 70 'in the casing 10.

the actuating levers projecting outwardly of a casing and beingoperative to adjust the corresponding printing members for selectivepositioning of indicia thereon preparatory to printing, said devicecomprising a plate supported by the casing for movement between firstand second positions, said plate having a plurality of slots thereineach adapted to receive one of the actuating levers therethrough,certain of said slots having configurationsto allow movement of thecorresponding levers and printing members to selectively positionprinting indicia when said plate is in said first position, said platehaving means associated with said certain of said slots to preventmovement of said plate to said second position until the actuatinglevers corresponding to said certain of said slots are moved topredetermined positions, at least one of the remaining slots having aconfiguration preventing movement of its corresponding actuating leverwhen said plate is in said first nosition and being adapted to allowmovement of the correspond- 2. A device as defined in claim 1 includingmeans associated with said plate for effecting movement thereof to saidsecond position upon movement of said actuating lever corresponding tosaid one of said remaining slots toward said selected printing positionwhen said levers corresponding to said certain of said slots are movedto said predetermined positions. I

3. A device as defined in claim 1 including means associated with saidcasing and said plate for urging said plate to said first position.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate includes means toprevent movement of the actuating levers associated with said certain ofsaid slots after said plate has been moved to said second position.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate includes meansassociated with said one of said remaining slots to prevent movement ofsaid plate from said second position to said first position after theactuating lever associated with said one of said remaining slots hasbeen moved to said selected position. a

6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate includes meansassociated with said one of said remaining slots for effecting movementof said plate from said first to said second position upon movement ofthe corresponding actuating lever to said selected printing positionwhen the actuating levers corresponding to said certain of said slotshave been moved to their predetermined positions.

7. In a machine for printing money orders and like instruments, thecombination comprising, a casing, a plurality of individually adjustableprinting members including a first member and a second member and aplurality of other members, said first member having a plurality ofeffective number printing characters and being movable to an initialposition ineffective for printing and a second position effective forprinting, said second and other members each having number printingcharacters ranging from zero to nine and being normally independentlymovable to selectively dispose any one of said characters in effectiveprinting position when said first for movement between first and secondpositions, said plate means having a plurality of slots therein eachadapted to receive one of said actuating levers therethrough, said slots7 other printing members to any one of said effective printing positionswhen said plate is in said first position and preventing movement ofsaid other printing members from the zero printing positions when saidplate is in said second position,

said slot corresponding'to'the actuating lever associated with saidfirst printing rnember being of a configuration to prevent movement ofsaid first printing member from said initial position when said plate isin said first position and being adapted to allow movement of saidprinting member to said second position effective for printing when saidplate is in said second position, and means for moving said plate fromsaid first to said second positions when said other printing members arein their zero printing positions.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said slot corresponding to theactuating lever associated with said second printing member has aconfiguration to allow movement of said second printing member to saidinitial position ineffective for printing.

9. The combination of claim 8 including means operatively associatedwith said actuating levers associated with said first and secondprinting members to effect movement of said second printing member tozero printing position upon movement of said first printing member tosaid second position effective for printing.

10. The combination of claim 7 wherein said plate includes meansassociated with said slot correspondin to said first printing member foreffecting movement of sai plate to said second position upon movement ofsaid first printing member to said second position effective forprinting when said other of said printing members are in zero printingpositions.

ii. The esmbiiraionorzsim plate to said first position.

7 including means urging sa id member is in its initial position, saidsecond member further 40% responding to the il i .levfir r'i with said ihaving an initial position ineffective for printing, an actuatingv leverassociated with each of said printing members for effecting adjustmentthereof, plate means supported by said casing printing member hasaQonfigurationto.preventmovement of said plate to said second positionunless said second printing i member is in zero printing position.

Patent No. 3 529 543 Inventor(s) a Ardath A. Goppertgn UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated September 22, 1970 It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 55, after "associated therewith,"

delete the actuating lever sEAL) Attest:

associated therewith,

FEB231971 mlm E. SGHUYLER, JR

Gomissionar of Patents

